I’ve mentioned many times on this blog that eagles around here will congregate (sometimes abundantly) around open water during the winter months. If open water and large numbers of fish are present together…you’ll find a lot of eagles. My latest count a few days ago was something just shy of 200 birds at our local dam. Despite all the camaraderie, it was not lost on me, particularly when watching this bird that was hunting in isolation, that each one is on its own when it comes to survival. There aren’t any backups or safety nets. You either fish and hunt successfully or you don’t. You either make it on your own, or you don’t. When watching them, I never forget that it’s a tough world out there.